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The Palestinian Authority (PA)

The atmosphere among Palestinians who returned to the northern Gaza Strip

Opening access to northern Gaza, as part of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, led to euphoria among the returnees, who did not hide their happiness and felt a sense of participation in the "victory" narrative promoted by Hamas. However, encountering the widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure in northern Gaza led to frustration and anger, and thousands of displaced Gazans returned to the south of the Strip; Some of the criticism was directed at Hamas, with accusations that the movement was not addressing the urgent needs of the residents and was instead focusing on hostage "liberation ceremonies". Nevertheless, criticism remains limited due to fears of a violent response from Hamas, which was quick to demonstrate power and governance as the ceasefire went into effect; In ITIC assessment, uncertainty regarding the timetable for Gaza's reconstruction, particularly in the north, will most likely increase frustration and many may return to the displaced persons camps in the south, where basic services exist and there is a steady supply of humanitarian aid. In addition, given President Trump's proposal to temporarily or permanently relocate the residents of the Strip, the destruction may increase willingness, especially among the younger generation, to consider leaving for abroad in hopes of building their future. In ITIC assessment, Hamas will suppress critical voices by force. However, given public frustration, the extensive destruction in Gaza will make it difficult for Hamas to sustain its "victory" narrative over time without presenting solutions, and may seek to shift responsibility, for instance to the committee for managing the Strip which Egypt is trying to promote, while striving to maintain its military strength.
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The issue of emigration from the Gaza Strip in light of President Trump’s proposal

On January 25, 2025, after the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip went into effect, U.S, President Trump proposed the temporary or permanent relocation of all Gazans in light of the extensive destruction and to facilitate reconstruction. The proposal sparked condemnations from the Palestinians, Iran and Arab states, which accused it of being a "forced displacement" in violation of international law; The proposal reignited the issue of emigration from the Gaza Strip in general and of young people in particular, known even before the Gaza Strip War. Unofficial data indicated that approximately 300,000 young people had left the Strip since Hamas took control in 2007, primarily due to the economic situation and lack of hope for the future; The Hamas leadership sought to downplay emigration, calling any reference to it a Palestinian Authority smear campaign, but a document found by the IDF in Gaza written by the Khan Yunis Brigade of Hamas' military wing indicated concerns over the departure of young people, who constituted a significant part of the movement’s fighting force; In ITIC assessment, the Palestinians and Arab states will continue to present a united front against the plan in an attempt to eliminate it in its early stages. However, even if the plan is not implemented, the opening of the Rafah Crossing and others at the end of the war could lead to a significant wave of emigration from Gaza because of the widespread destruction and uncertainty about the future. Such a scenario would pose a significant challenge to Hamas, which would do everything in its power to prevent the emigration of young people, which could weaken its political and military stranglehold on the Gazan public.
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Spotlight on the Israel-Palestinian Conflict (January 28 – February 4 , 2025)

The ceasefire in the Gaza Strip continues: Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) released a female soldier and ten civilian hostages, five Israelis and five Thais, in exchange for 293 Palestinian prisoners, some of whom were serving life sentences; some were deported abroad. The Rafah Crossing was opened for the exit of patients and wounded; the return of displaced persons to northern Gaza continued; Hamas accused Israel of "humanitarian violations" of the ceasefire, claiming the movement was ready to begin negotiations on the second phase of the agreement. Hamas confirmed the deaths of Muhammad Deif, head of the military wing, his deputy and other senior terrorist operatives. The Palestinian Authority (PA) worked to recruit international aid for the Gaza Strip; Two IDF soldiers were shot to death in the Jordan Valley, the terrorist was killed. Israeli security forces continued a large-scale counterterrorism operation in northern Samaria, eliminating more than 50 terrorist operatives; Nine countries announced the establishment of a group to assist the Palestinians in legal warfare against Israel. The Palestinian Authority and Hamas welcomed the initiative.
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Spotlight on Syria (Following the Toppling of the Syrian Regime) January 22 – 29 , 2025

The new Syrian security forces continued searching the country for senior officials of the Assad regime and weapon stockpiles. The forces intercepted a truck carrying weapons en route to Hezbollah in Lebanon; Ahmed al-Sharaa (Abu Mohammed al-Julani), de facto Syrian leader, held meetings in Damascus with visiting leaders and diplomats, including the Palestinian Authority prime minister and the Russian president's special envoy to the Middle East. The Syrian foreign minister welcomed the EU decision to gradually lift sanctions; Disagreements continue between Damascus and the leadership of Kurdish organizations regarding the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces into the new Syrian army. The Syrian defense minister warned that the army would be prepared to use force if the issue were not resolved peacefully; IDF preparations for a prolonged presence on the Syrian Hermon and the buffer zone led Ahmed al-Sharaa to warn Israel that if it did not withdraw its forces, Syria would "apply pressure." Residents in the Quneitra area held demonstrations to protest the presence of Israeli forces and called for UN intervention. 
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Spotlight on the Israel-Palestinian Conflict (January 20 – 27 , 2025)

The ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip continues. Hamas released four female hostage soldiers in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners, some of whom were serving life sentences and some who were deported abroad. Approximately 300,000 displaced persons returned to northern Gaza after the IDF evacuated parts of the Netzarim Corridor following the resolution of a dispute over the release of an Israeli civilian hostage; Senior Hamas figures called the return of the displaced to northern Gaza a "victory." Hamas continued to demonstrate governance with the deployment of large police forces and the execution of individuals suspected of collaborating with Israel. The Palestinian Authority continued its efforts to assume responsibility for the Gaza Strip; The Palestinians condemned the American president's proposal to transfer more than one million Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to neighboring Arab countries; According to reports, Hamas recruited thousands of new operatives into its military wing during the war and provided them with accelerated training. An investigative program showed pictures of Muhammad Deif before the October 7, 2023 attack and massacre, and of Yahya Sinwar in Rafah during the war; Four Israelis were injured in a stabbing attack in Tel Aviv; the assailant, a foreign national, was killed. Israeli security forces continued extensive counterterrorism operations in Jenin and Tulkarm, targeting terrorists from the air and on the ground. Four IDF soldiers were injured; Hamas accused the Palestinian security forces of collaborating with Israel because of the arrest of terrorist operatives from the Jenin Battalion; The Palestinian Authority's prime minister met in Damascus with Syria's de facto leader. 
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Summary of Terrorist Events, December 2024

During December 2024 fighting continued in the Gaza Strip, Judea and Samaria, with continuous attacks from the Houthis in Yemen. The ceasefire in south Lebanon was maintained and the pro-Iranian militias in Iraq did not attack Israel; The Gaza Strip: Palestinian terrorists fired twenty rockets at Israeli territory, compared to eleven the previous month. A UAV was launched toward Israel and was intercepted. Targeted attacks on Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) leaders and terrorist operatives continued, including the elimination of Tharwat al-Beic, head of the Hamas security forces, and Diab Ali al-Jarou, mayor of Deir al-Balah. Terrorists who participated in the October 7, 2023 attack and massacre were also eliminated; Israel, Judea and Samaria: Palestinian terrorists carried out nine attacks (six of them in Israeli territory) which killed two Israeli civilians; four attacks were carried out in November 2024. Israeli security forces continued counterterrorism operations in Judea and Samaria, and eliminated terrorist operatives on the ground and from the air, including commanders of terrorist networks; Lebanon: The ceasefire which went into effect on November 27, 2024, was maintained. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for one attack on an IDF post. Groups allied with Hezbollah reported casualties from IDF strikes which targeted violations of the ceasefire; The Shi'ite militias: The Houthis claimed responsibility for twenty missiles and UAV attacks on Israeli targets, compared to five attacks in November 2024. They also claimed responsibility for six joint attacks with the Islamic Resistance in Iraq against Israel, the first such act of cooperation since July 2024. However, Islamic militias in Iraq have not claimed responsibility for attacks on Israel since November 24, 2024, the result of pressure from the Iraqi government and concerns over potential Israeli retaliation.
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